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Australia Retain Labuschagne for Test Series in South Africa
Selectors kept Marnus Labuschagne after lean recent scores and named Cooper Connolly in a 16-man squad with three spin options.
On Monday, Australia's selectors named a 16-man squad for the three-Test tour of South Africa beginning October 9, retaining top-order batsman Marnus Labuschagne despite recent poor form.
Labuschagne's international future faced scrutiny following middling performances, including scoring just 35 runs in three innings against Bangladesh, with his average this year standing at 24.20.
Selectors added all-rounder Cooper Connolly, paceman Michael Neser, and left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann to the squad; Connolly averages 42 in first-class cricket from 13 matches after debuting against Sri Lanka last year.
The three-Test series marks Australia's first visit to South Africa since the 2018 ball-tampering affair; Chair of selectors George Bailey said the squad provides "balance and options for each test."
Play commences at Durban's Kingsmead Stadium on October 9, with the tour continuing through matches in Gqeberha and Cape Town throughout the month.